AI is becoming part of the everyday DTC toolkit. How can wineries – and those that support the wine industry –  use it thoughtfully while understanding its full cost? Recently, Wineshipping, RedChirp, Commerce7, and WISE hosted a three-stop roadshow on the West Coast. We heard plenty of thoughtful questions from winery leaders along the way, but one question stumped us all. A leader from a winery with a strong commitment to environmental sustainability asked: “How should a winery that has built our brand on being green reconcile the environmental impact of artificial intelligence (and data centers usage) that is embedded in winery technology?” Another winery leader added an important counterpoint: “AI is quickly becoming a competitive advantage, and waiting too long to use it carries a cost, too. If we don’t adopt AI, does the winery run the risk of being less competitive, and the vineyard getting ripped out to be a data center?” The conversation stayed with us long after the ses

New ‘Sonoma County Wine’ Promotion Effort to Launch in 2027 The success of Sonoma County’s wine community depends on the success of its growers and wineries. Recognizing that today's challenges also present an opportunity to build a stronger future, Sonoma County Winegrowers (SCW) and Sonoma County Vintners (SCV) today announced the alignment of their winery membership programs to strengthen collaboration and create a more unified voice for Sonoma County wine. Today’s announcement follows months of meetings by a wine industry task force established by the boards of SCW and SCV to explore how best to serve the local wine community, improve efficiencies and eliminate duplication of programs.  The findings of a survey of nearly 100 local vintners helped provide direction to the task force as a clear majority of vintners “supported” or “strongly supported” exploring integration of the two organizations memberships to provide a more unified voice for Sonoma County.  

Savour Quality from Europe: Tuscany’s Wine and Olive Oil Icons Find New Fans in Canada October 2025 [Vancouver, BC] Canadians are falling in love with the real taste of Tuscany as testimonial of the European quality. This year, two of the most respected European producer groups, the Consorzio Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and the Associazione Produttori Olivicoli Toscani (APOT), are sharing their story through the European Union–funded campaign Savor Quality from Europe. The campaign celebrates craftsmanship, authenticity, and sustainability by connecting Canadians with the winemakers and olive growers who represent the heart of European culture. Why Canada’s Falling for European Products Canada is becoming one of the most exciting destinations for premium European food and wine. Consumers here want products that tell a story: where they come from, who makes them, and why they matter. The Consorzio Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and APOT see that as a perfect match for

Sonoma County Winegrowers Focus on Creating Experiences to Engage New and Existing Wine Lovers SANTA ROSA, Calif. (January 17, 2025) – For over a decade, Sonoma County Winegrowers has been at the forefront of innovation, forging powerful partnerships with iconic brands like John Deere, Ford Pro, Wilbur Ellis, Landry’s, and the San Francisco Giants. As unveiled at this week’s annual Dollars & $ense meeting, held virtually, 2025 marks a year dedicated to “Renewing, Building, and Growing” these renowned programs, expanding their reach, amplifying the Sonoma County story, and setting new benchmarks in excellence. As Karissa Kruse, president and chief executive officer of Sonoma County Winegrowers, started her presentation with a review of the past twelve years since she joined the organization, it was clear that the results in building the brand’s visibility over the years has been successful. From being world leaders in sustainability, to sports ma

Afternoon Brief: Treasury Wine Estates Settles Lawsuit with Shareholders

Australian wine giant Treasury Wine Estates (TWE) has agreed to pay shareholders A$65m ($43.7m) in response to class action proceedings made against it four years ago...

Afternoon Brief, June 17th

Winery Owners, Guests Flee as Point Fire Erupts in Sonoma County Wine Region: Guests enjoying an afternoon of wine tasting at Capo Creek Winery on West Dry Creek Road were forced to flee after the wind-driven Point Fire broke out Sunday afternoon in the heart of one of Sonoma County’s most iconic wine regions...